A gay rights group has slammed the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) for upholding a complaint against a Derek Mooney programme discussing same-sex marriage.

Kieran Rose, Chairman of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) said: “Does it now mean contributors to a broadcast programme may not now talk about possible future constitutional change on any issue, unless the programme segment has opposing views?”

Donal O’Sullivan–Latchford complained after the January 20 programme, which saw Mooney discussing same-sex marriage with former newsreader Michael Murphy and Glen’s Tiernan Brady.

Mr O’Sullivan-Latchford was unhappy that no opposing opinions were featured, especially when the topic should be the subject of a referendum next year.

The BAI found that Mooney supported same-sex marriage during the show, at one point saying: “I hope you do get gay marriage… I hope it does come in.”

Speaking to the BAI, RTE defended itself: “It does not automatically follow that every examination of this area should turn into a debate about the rights and wrongs or otherwise of homosexuality and gay marriage.”

A complaint was partially upheld against TV3 over their March 10 documentary “Justice: Death in Bray”, examining the August 2009 murder of Sebastian Creane by Shane Clancy, who then killed himself.

Leonie Farrell, Clancy’s mother, complained that the makers broadcast material against her will.

Among her complaints, she said that she had been told there would not be a reconstruction of the events and she said TV3 misled viewers by referencing ‘a journal’ belonging to her son that was not real.

She said that she asked for her contributions the programme not to be used but TV3 hit back by saying she had signed release forms and it was too late to comply with her wishes the day before it was due to air.

The BAI ruled that TV3 did not show due care towards Ms Farrell but rejected arguments that comments in the programme drew a link between a criminal act and Mr Clancy’s mental health.

These complaints were two of 13 considered by the BAI at their June 17 meeting, 11 more were rejected and two more were resolved by the Executive Complaints Forum.